42. Viscountess ASTORasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been paid by the Exchequer, directly or through the Second Scottish National Housing Company, to the Cardonald Housing Company for Weir cottages and bungalows; how many Weir houses have been contracted for up to date; how many are still uncompleted; and on what date after completion will the cost of repairs and maintenance fall upon public funds?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed that in respect of the houses being provided by the Second Scottish National Housing Company (Housing Trust) Limited, no money has been paid by the Exchequer direct to the contractors, and that the amount paid to the latter through the Housing Company as at the 31st ultimo was £444,979 for all types of houses. At this stage it is not possible to state 821 the amount so paid for cottages and bungalows alone. The number of Weir houses contracted for to date by the Housing Company is 1,542, and at the 31st ultimo the number of these uncompleted was 514. The contractors' period of maintenance runs for 12 months from the completion of the houses, and at the expiry of that period the cost of repairs and maintenance will be met out of rents.
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these houses that have been completed are occupied?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNot without notice.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the right hon. Gentleman say if it is not a fact that the maintenance is heavier in this class of house than in ordinary houses?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI do not think there is any justification for that statement.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman not give, for the last two wind storms in Scotland, the relation of the repairs necessary to this class of house to those necessary to what are called the ordinary brick-built house?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question should be put down on the Paper.
§ Mr. HARDIEI will put it down.